Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-03-24

.'She's 'fraid cat, anyhow
Hiram laughed, and Frank had the
last word.
But he still despised Molly for being
a coward, and wandered about after
Hiram ut his work. or followed his
uncle to the field a great deal more
thar he had; really. to Molley's relief.
for though she was fond of the bright,
gOOd-natured boy, it was a heavy tax
on her time and patience to wait on
and watch him as she felt obliged to-
as long rs he wanted her society. She
had time now to do some sewing, and
help her mother, time to read and
study in the books she had brought
home from school.
But, after all. they were both sorry
to part when the end Of September
came. and Frank was sent for to GO
home. They promised to write to each
other. and perhaps would have KEEP,
the promise. only after two weeks Mrs.
Bates received letter from her sister
asking her TO let Molly spend the win
ter with them. and so to school if she
wished.
This was what Molly had always
wanted; she had gone to Newfield high
school till she had learned all that was
to be taught there, and she did very
earnestly wish for little more school
ing, for she meant to be teacher. Mr..
Bates was not rich man. He had a
good farm, and could give his family
all the food and clothing needful for
them, but he never had any money
to spare. And Mrs. Bates had told
Molly not to ask her father to send her
away to school, because he could not
afford it.
Mrs. Parsons had learned all about
Molly's wish from Frank. who had no
scruple about asking his cousin ques-
tons; and as MIR. Bates had refused to
consider Frank as any thing but a well
come visitor all that long summer, it
relieved his mother from great sense
of obligation to offer Molly q winters
schooling as we'll as her board; for
Mrs. Parsons knew that Mr. Bates was
not really able to be as generous as his
nature made him.
Molly was delighted. and her nimble
fingers at once began on the needful
sewing. The Newfield drcssmaker
came for a week. and cut over Mrs.
Bates wedding-drcss, dark blue
repped silk, for the girls best gown;
there was gray merinO bought for
school wear, and last years brown one
sponged and altered for change; a
little round felt hat with band of
velvet. for every day, and dark blue
velvet turban for Sundays. came from
the milliner's shop in Tauton, and
with beaver cloth black sacque and
blanket shawl. Molly's list of outside
wear was completed. She was to get
some gloves in New York and a pair of
overshoes; all the rest of her garments
she and her mother had made. and
they were warm and abundant. Molly
thought herself very lucky girl.
However, when she arrived at her
aunt's house, though Aida and Amy
were kind in their welcome, and Aunt
Frances put both arms about her,
kissed her warmly and said: "My
dear child; you've got your mothers
eyes" Yet Molly felt like stranger of
different race; her shoes seemed to
make a noise like horseshoes as she
followed Amy's light steps up the pol
ished staircase to her room. and her
dress, fashioned by old Miss Pettibone.
seemed uncouth enough in comparison
with Alida's dainty gown Of soft wool
and delicate silk, fitting her slender
figure with perfect grace. and trailing
its long draperies over the rich carpet
of the upper hall. Frank was not there.
or she might have been happier and
more ut home. When Amy left her to
put her hat and sacque in the closet.
unpack her trunk. and brush her hair
for the late dinner which was just
ready. Molly's heart sank like lead; oh.
if she were only home again! but she
rcsolutely put the thought away; she
was there at her own wish; she was
going to school without expense to her
father; she would not give way to re-
greet or fear; the words Hiram said to
her as he shook hands at the gate when
she came away flashed across her.
keep your courage up. Molly; don't
let outs;dcs daunt We. Your folks here
to home is with more to We than the
hull city. Think o that"
Molly did think of it. set her red lips
firmly. and went down to dinner in her
old brown dress, her heavy shoes. her
supplemented hair. as self-possessed a
girl rs Amy herself. Uncle Parsons
was kind-heartcd man. very busy
abroad. very pleasant and cordial ut
home; but his eyes were keen. He had
not been in business thirty years with
out learning to know people by their
faces; We: lie was little puzzled to-
day. Frank had talked great deal
about his summer in Newield. and had
given his father an idea that Molly was
a pretty. wcak-headed, perhaps silly,